University ceases offering two academic programs. - The establishment is shutting down two academic programs.
In a significant development, the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (UAS) is set to discontinue two engineering programs, following savings plans announced by the black-red state government of Hesse. The state government aims to sign the University Compact for the years 2026 to 2031 with the 14 state universities in Hesse by mid-July, as part of a broader plan to save around one billion euros for Hessian universities over the next six years.
The discontinued engineering programs at UAS were characterized by additional practical projects and the development of key competencies in the first four semesters. However, the intensified student support associated with these programs will no longer be financially feasible for UAS, according to the university senate.
The state government's savings plans have also led to a freeze on hiring and rehiring positions at UAS since February 2025, and course offerings and facilities may close "in principle randomly," based solely on the age structure of the staff and fixed-term contracts. This lack of strategic planning has been criticized by UAS.
Thousands of people in Hesse demonstrated against the savings plans on Tuesday, expressing their concerns about the impact on the state's universities. The Rhine-Main region relies heavily on UAS for engineering, computer science, social work, nursing, business, and legal studies.
It is unclear whether the new University Compact, for which UAS is preparing, is directly linked to the discontinuation of the engineering programs. The University Compact, while not specified to be the Hessian University Compact mentioned earlier, is a future plan for the state universities in Hesse.
As the situation develops, it is expected that more information will become available from official announcements from the University of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt or news articles related to educational reforms and financial measures in Hesse, Germany. This could provide insights into any agreements or policies affecting universities in the region.
- The halted engineering programs at UAS, focusing on practical projects and developing essential competencies in the early semesters, may no longer be sustainable due to financial constraints, hence the discontinuation.
- Despite the discontinuation of certain programs, the university's commitment to community aid, such as vocational training in fields like engineering, computer science, social work, nursing, business, and legal studies, remains crucial for the Rhine-Main region's education-and-self-development and general-news landscape.
